The South Korean government is temporarily banning all cruise ships from entering the country amid fears of the new coronavirus spreading.
Kim Kang-rip, head of the central disease control headquarters, told a regular press briefing today that officials decided to deny upcoming entry of cruise ships that were scheduled to arrive in Busan and Jeju later this month.
The decision comes amid growing concerns that passenger cruise ships are more likely to spread the virus due to frequent interactions among passengers in a limited space.
Kim said the temporary entry ban will not apply to freight vessels entering the country's ports.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
